The groups again took to the ice—each group taking two sessions on the ice, with a short break for a an ice cleaning, and no doubt some drinks and protein for the players. Both the players and the ice needed the break, as the competition continues to increase. For the first time in a few years the Boston Bruins roster has some definite slots available and many of the younger players are doing their best to get noticed with each shift they take.

David Pastrnak

Unfortunately during the first half of the group containing forward David Pastrnak went down and slid hard into the boards and then went off the ice and did not return to the ice. Head coach Claude Julien was asked about what happened to Pastrnak. Julien explained that he had tweaked his shoulder.

“I don’t know how serious it’s going to be but very, very doubtful for [Sunday],” he said. “I would think, if anything, he’ll be stiff and we wouldn’t take that chance, but I don’t think it’s too, too serious.”

Considering how determined the young player is, and the effort he had shown to date, the fact that his injury appears to not be too bad is good news.

The line pairings today again included Providence Bruins player Seth Griffith on the line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. And again, Julien cautioned reading too much into that, given that this was only the second day of camp. However, Julien did comment on the hockey sense of the young right winger.

Seth Griffith

Griffith was drafted in the fifth round (131st overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Bruins and he spent the previous season in Providence with Boston’s AHL affiliate. A little slow to begin his year in Providence, he quickly found his stride and by the end of the season he had played in 69 regular season games earning 20 goals and 30 assists for 50 points and then he followed it up with four goals and seven assists for 11 points in 12 playoff games.

On Sunday, forty of the players will suit up and play against each other in the Black and Gold scrimmage. As a result, in addition to the absence of Pastrnak and likely Milan Lucic not playing—still recovering from his wrist surgery and not yet cleared for games—the lines will not resemble what they have been at Ristuccia Arena.

The scrimmage should prove interesting. Julien will not be behind either of the benches. Instead he will be the “eye in the sky” as he called himself. And while the fans will be enjoying a game, for every one of the players the stakes are much higher. They want to be noticed and show Bruins management that they belong in Boston.

A family historian by profession, Rhonda R. McClure has loved hockey since she was a child in New Hampshire. Any opportunity to combine her love of writing, hockey and research is something she looks forward to with much enthusiasm. She's been accused of seeking out shinny games when there are no other hockey events taking place. She is a member of the Society for International Hockey Research. Follow her on Twitter at @HockeyMaven1917.